The Academic Standards and Awards Committee is responsible for reviewing the academic records of Allegheny students and, when appropriate, assigning an individual student to a particular Academic Standing category. By matriculating at Allegheny students recognize the right of the Committee to determine their Academic Standing.
The membership of the Academic Standards and Awards Committee includes Allegheny faculty, students, and those administrators who assist students experiencing difficulty in their college work. All actions concerning academic standing are taken after careful analysis of the individual student's level of achievement, aptitudes, study efficiency, and sense of purpose. At the end of each semester the Committee reviews the records of all students whose semester or cumulative grade point averages render them subject to one of the following Academic Standing Categories. Assignment to an Academic Standing Category is made by majority vote of the faculty members of the Committee.
The cumulative grade point average includes all graded Allegheny courses, but does not include courses taken under the Credit/No Credit option or courses in which the student received an Incomplete or a "W." When a course is repeated, the credits and grade for the most recent attempt will be counted in the current cumulative average.
Academic Warning is assigned to students who have two consecutive semesters with a semester average below 2.0, but whose cumulative grade point average remains above 2.0. Students remain on Academic Warning until they achieve a semester grade point average over 2.0.
Academic Probation is assigned to students at the conclusion of the first semester in which the cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0. Students remain on Academic Probation for one semester, at the end of which the student may be subject to dismissal or placed on Poor Academic Standing if the cumulative average remains below 2.0.
Students are placed on Poor Academic Standing if they have two or more consecutive semesters with a cumulative grade point average below 2.0 and if they have not been dismissed by the College. All students not on Poor Academic Standing are considered to be in good academic standing.
Students in their first semester at Allegheny College who receive a G.P.A. of 1.0 or below will be placed on Poor Academic Standing. These students will be subjected to the following requirements: 1) to meet with a representative from the Learning Commons; and 2) to work with that representative to create a plan that improves their academic performance. Students may also be required to enroll in no more than 12 credits during the next semester.
Please note that students on Poor Academic Standing cannot participate in varsity athletics until their cumulative G.P.A. rises to a 2.0 and are not permitted to become a member of the College Greek system until their G.P.A. meets the requirements outlined for Greek chapters.
Students placed on Academic Probation or Poor Academic Standing, and whose cumulative grade point average remains below 2.0 at the conclusion of their next semester at Allegheny, are subject to dismissal from the College. Dismissal is for a minimum of one calendar year. Students who are dismissed are prohibited from taking Allegheny courses until they are readmitted to the College.
Dismissed students seeking readmission should submit a written request to the Dean of Students Office by May 1 for a fall term readmission and November 1 for a spring term readmission. Students are encouraged to contact the Dean of Students Office prior to these deadlines for assistance in preparing the request for readmission. If a student who has been readmitted to the College after dismissal fails a second time to achieve the minimum standard, the student may be dismissed for second time. A student who is dismissed twice for poor academic performance may not apply for readmission. The second dismissal may occur at the conclusion of any semester subsequent to readmission, provided the cumulative average does not rise above 2.0.
Academic Warning, Academic Probation, and Poor Academic Standing are determined by grade point average and are not subject to appeal.
Any student who has been dismissed from the College has the right to petition the Academic Standards and Awards Committee to reconsider its decision. Such a request must contain new and pertinent information not available to the student at the time of the original committee decision, and this information must have a bearing on the student's poor academic performance. The petition should be directed in writing to the Chair of the Academic Standards and Awards Committee, setting forth clearly all arguments for reconsideration, and must be submitted within seven calendar days after the date of the Committee's written notification of dismissal.
Academic Dismissal is noted on the transcript; Academic Warning, Academic Probation, and Poor Academic Standing are not.
The College has many resources to assist students experiencing academic difficulty, including help in identifying tutors and developing study skills. Students should visit the Learning Commons for assistance. See also "Academic Resources - The Learning Commons".
Students may apply to the Office of the Dean of Students for a Leave of Absence when personal circumstances make a temporary absence advisable and a commitment to return to the College is evident. The length of the leave is determined by the student's needs, but normally will not exceed one calendar year. Students may be granted leaves from the College without grade penalty up until the last day of classes in any semester. Depending on the circumstances, a leave may be arranged during or between semesters. However, students on a leave may return only at the beginning of an academic semester. When a student is granted a Leave of Absence during the semester, the course registration remains on the transcript and the notation "L" is assigned instead of a letter grade.
During a Leave of Absence, the general deposit required of all students is maintained on account; when applicable, financial aid and course registration arrangements are held for the student's return. Students on leave should contact the Office of Residence Life to make arrangements for on-campus housing. Students also may register for the next semester in person during the designated registration period. Students must inform the Registrar of their intent to participate in registration.
Students considering a Leave of Absence must consult their advisor and others, as appropriate, about the effect it will have on progress toward a degree, financial aid, and billing. Tuition and board refunds for Leaves of Absence are governed by the provisions set forth in the Catalogue under "Refund Policy."
Students desiring to withdraw from the College must complete the withdrawal form available from the Office of the Dean of Students. In order to receive a deposit refund, students must withdraw according to the following deadlines: July 1 for fall semester and by one week prior to the first official day of classes for the spring semester. Students may withdraw from the College without grade penalty up until the last day of classes in any semester. When a student withdraws from the College during the first five weeks of the semester, 14-week courses will not appear on the official transcript, but, as appropriate, will appear on the academic record. Students who withdraw from the College between the conclusion of the fifth week of the semester and the last day of final examinations will receive the grade of "WC" for all courses for which they are registered. This will not affect their grade point average.
Students who do not resume study at the opening of any semester are withdrawn from the College by action of the Dean of Students.
Students who withdraw may return to the College by notifying the Office of the Dean of Students no later than July 1 for the fall semester or December 1 for spring semester. A re-entering student is required to pay the $300 deposit at the time he or she notifies the Office of the Dean of Students of the date of return.
When students re-enter, they shall be governed by the academic requirements applicable to the class of which they become a part.
Students who withdraw from the College are expected to leave the campus within 48 hours. They lose all privileges of enrollment until such time as they are readmitted. Tuition and board refunds for withdrawal are governed by the provisions set forth in the Catalogue under "Refund Policy."
